Tales of the Exalted

The Circle begins it's final preparations for its journey to Fu Turn.
They are given a Golden Tablet bearing the Khal of Khal's own seal. It gives then permission to travel anywhere within the Empire, and demand food and shelter at any in or supply station.
To the shock of many, only Sanjuro has been sent to guard the young Solars. Much to his displeasure.

Cion was busy preparing a pack to put on Speedy before their left and did not notice the animal wander off. Despite the tablet and the reassurance they would be provided with food and shelter, Cion preferred to travel well prepared. He also didn't mind a few nights on the soft grass as it gave him the illusion that the was a free man somehow.

Speedy spotted the apple man immediately and trotted over to shove his muzzle under his arm to try and elicit some pets. "Got any more fruit?"

Sanjuro's mood was grim. He was being sent away from the palace for the first time in four years, and while that time had had good reason, this time was to babysit those who didn't need it. To spy on his princess and her allies.
He should be protecting Shono! A revolution in Cao Wei, defeat at Shu Han. and Prince Chen leading an army to conquer a kingdom to the east. The Khal had more enemies than usual, now was not the time for Sanjuro to be away. A rumor like that would warrant sending assassins on it's own.
Thankfully he had time to see the Water Aspected Seiryu arrive to replace him. One of the few Azuma who could body double for him, physically and in prowess.
He was taken aback momentarily as Speedy nuzzled him and asked about treats. A smirk rose to his face, beneath the mask he wore, and he began to pet his "friend"'s nose.
"They only let me take one from the kitchens, Speedy, but I had a feeling you might ask." he said, an uncharacteristic warmth in his voice as he reached into a bag and withdrew another of the apples he'd brought before.

Eida walked out to the palace stables carrying packs and supplies slung over his shoulders. This was his first excursion on his own, and he was escorting the Princess. The Khal must have put good faith in the abilities of the group as a whole...

...Or maybe not. The sorcerer walked by Chanekeh, who was giving his attention to a horse. If he was here, they were not going to be just the group as a whole, but if this was the Khal's decision, Eida questioned it. Sending the wraith that was the personal champion during new conflict, especially with Guan Yu returned.

This was the first trip the princess would ever take without an entire entourage but she was surprisingly not nervous in the least bit. She felt more comfortable in the company of the other Solars than she had with an entire escort around her. If anything she was looking forward to this bit of freedom from being under the constant scrutiny of the aristocrats in the palace. This little bit of independence made her feel a bit bold and she had insisted in carry at least some of her things to the horses despite Mayumi’s protests. It turned out that a pack laden with dresses was far heavier than she had imagined but she tried her best not to struggle with it.

Callista almost fell when she caught sight of Sanjuro petting the large white horse. Well at least he as making a friend she supposed.

Ruby finished tying the bags to her saddle and jumped up into it. "You know, this is why I miss ships." she said to noone in particular as she urged her horse out of the stable and onto the main road.

”Wait for me!” Jill called as she tossed the reins of her horse to Ruby. ”Tie that to your horse.” Her form shrank into the familiar small white feline and she gracefully jumped into the staddle before her friend. ”Less saddle sores this way,” she said as she curled up and got comfy.

Ruby took the leather straps and tied a ship's mooring knot to keep the horses together. "You know that's cheating, right? Why do I have to bother getting all uncomfortable?' Even with the complaining, she absentmindedly started scratching Silver under the chin. "What do you think he's gonna be like, this scavenger god?"

Mercy got stopped on her way to the stables. May thrusting an extra pack into her hands for her horse. She let her know in no uncertain terms that Mercy was to attend to Callista’s every need. If Mercy was going to train to be a lady then there would be no half-measures in her efforts, and if Callista was found wanting Mercy would have to answer to her!
Mercy tied the extra package onto the saddle. The past few days had been a whirlwind of emotion. Wanting to leave, being reassured by two of the Solars and scolded by May to stay. She reflected while she mounted her horse.
….
She had been called into a meeting with the Warmaster and explained the events at Cao Wei, and had been instructed to write to their Mother directly on a regular basis, concerning their travels. The feeling of pride of being able to write directly to Mother, but were they asking her to spy against her own brother.
...
There was the boy who worked in the kitchens. He had found her weeping after, they could barely speak more than a dozen words together. But he was nice and held her when she needed to be held. He didn’t fight or protest either when she had kissed him.
…
There was telling Brother Donovan that she was leaving, in part from her own feelings of inadequacy, and in part for not wanting to be compelled to spy. He had rightly beaten her, but she refused to stay down earning a second and third strike. Again she cried and begged to be released telling him of the Warmaster’s instructions. Yet he still insisted that she stayed.
…
Callista's forgiveness and encouragement.
...
Donovan helped Mercy into her new equipment. Nezhno Abidemi had made quite the effort fitting the iron wood. The half plate fit like a glove, and looked as lovelier than any dress she had ever owned, not that it had been many. She felt like she at least looked like a knight now. It was odd not wearing the livery of An-Tir, but they were in direct service to the Khal now.
…
She had never been lower than how her travels to Terenuthis had taken her, and she was determined that now she would raise to higher hights then she had ever been.

Donovan loved the feeling of being on the open trail. The expanse of land around him, the fresh air, The powerful feel of Toe-Jai beneath him. He looked out over the horizon. A new day, and a start to a new adventure! He hummed a little tune, it was sad and sweet. He couldn’t remember the words anymore, but he had known them as a child.

Mayumi sighed. Callista was so excited to go on this adventure, to taste freedom, that she wouldn't listen. It would be rude of Mayumi to go help her as she struggled. But none of the boys seemed to be.
She sighed and made her way over to the Princess, and on her way noticed her brother petting a horse..... She was almost certain he had a grin on his face as he fed the beast an apple.
Mayumi chose not to say anything about it, if something so simple as affection from a well bred horse gave Sanjuro a moment of joy she was no one to question it.
She came up to Callista and placed several bags on her horse's saddle. Then turned to help Callista.
"Here, let me show you." she said, deciding it wouldn't be disobeying the Princess if she made it a lesson.

”Careful he bites…” Cion trailed off and stretched his head. Connected or not, sometimes he couldn't figure out what was going through the beast's head but little did know the feeling was often mutual. He stepped forward when he saw the princess stumble as if he was about to catch her but caught sight of her bodyguard moving up on them swiftly so he just grabbed her elbow to help stabilize her instead of something more dramatic. ”I would be more than happy to lift anything you need Princess.” He said even has he lifted his own pack onto the back of one of the pack horses and left her with her attendant.

”Stail gaoithe, if you are just about done I would like to get going,” Cion sighed impatiently.

Speedy rejoined his friend and peer around him to the group gathered on the road outside the gate. ”Oh no, he’s not going is he? Look at that smug face, that horse has armor. How come I don’t have any armor?”

Cion sighed and rolled his eyes. ”Because you are too fast to need it and you have me to protect you. If you really want armor I can see about getting you some when we return but I don’t think you will like it all that much,” he said as he swung up into the saddle with ease.

If he was not carrying loads for some three people, Eida could have been at Callista's side in an instant. Instead the blowhard was there again. At least Mayumi was there to act in place. He tied the two pack mules to his own mount and lead them all to the gates. "Say your farewells to Terenuthis, we do not know when we will return. the god's moods are mercurial, and if this Scavenger has not aided his people for years, likely we will be spending time cajoling it." Donovan's soft melody was melancholy, but oddly appropriate for the occasion. The Circle began travels down the roads alone, but together.

I'll not miss this place while we are gone.

The trip to Fu Tien would take about four days of riding. The roads were somewhat busy as the Circle made their way through the countryside. Lots of farm land and wooded areas lined the path, as did many streams and rivers.

As the dusk began to set in on the second day, the Circle reached a small town. The quiet farming village lay between Terenuthis and Plataea, and it was rather quite considering the time of year. Few people walked the streets, and a somberness filled the air.
Few guards watched the roads, and the ones who did seemed unfit for the duty.

They stood out like a sore thumb in the small town so there was no sense in trying to hide or play small. Donovan rode up to the public house and dismounted.
Inn Keeper, Nine rooms as well as whatever you have cooking this evening - and the stable boy for our horses. He placed payment in advance on the counter.
A bath was probably too much to hope for, but he looked forward to a cool drink to get the dust from the road out of his mouth.

The innkeeper's eyes grew wide at the money Donovan lay down and a moment later it was if he'd suddenly remembered how to do his job.
"Of course of course. Eight rooms won't be a problem, m'lord." he said warmly before a small coughing fit took him. He hollered at a young woman, likely his eldest daughter, to prepare bread and stew for the guests. A young boy headed out to deal with the horses after his name was called.
"Any rooms you like, don't have many guests right now." he said, failing to hide a somber note in his voice.

Oh? Donovan looked around the inn. The common room was pretty empty as well. Non of the "usual customers" you would expect to be gathering in on their way home from work before heading home for the evening. Custom has been poor recently?

"Haven't gotten a lot of travelers of late, what with the crossing flooded. And most of my regulars are at home with their families now, tendin' the sick and keepin' watch." he said.
"Oh but don't you worry none, no travelers end up catchin' this fever. And nothin' is so bold yet as to come so far into town." he said quickly.

...what do you mean by "come so far into town? I take it what ails this hamlet is no ordinary malady. There didn't seem to be much concern in the inn keep for the fever, so it wasn't likely deadly, still, he didn't like the idea of whatever had not been so bold, becoming so during their stay here with them caught unawares.

The inkeep leaned in and spoke in a hushed tone.
"A curse, or at least many of us suspect." he said. He looked around a bit to make sure the few patrons he had weren't listening.
"We've always had beasts in these parts, but before the river flooded, and this fever came, we used to have men to scare 'em off." he said.
"Now the only men still strong enough to fight stay home, sharpening their axes and lookin' after their sick." he sighed.
"Mayor's got boys and greybeards like me wearing the uniform of the town guard now, and he knows better than to spread them so thin as to keep the outskirts safe." he shook his head sadly.
"Hopefully the river will dry up soon and the Khal's men will be able to help us soon." he shrugged.